Battle.net Desktop Client - Services Activated and Beta Test Opt-in
Blizzard finally flipped the switch on the new Battle.net desktop client and it is now available to people selected for the beta. A couple extra features have emerged:

You no longer have to log in to WoW, SC2, or D3, as clicking play will automatically log you in.

A list of your BattleTag and RealID friends is now shown in a small window in the client.

Chat is disabled for this phase of testing, but you will be able to chat with your BattleTag and RealID friends in the future.

Battle.net Launcher Update: Testers Wanted

Originally Posted by Blizzard
(Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

We're continuing the Battle.net®-related testing we mentioned previously. As part of this, we're now inviting beta testers to help test and refine a new desktop app for Battle.net designed to improve the launcher experience for all Blizzard games and streamline the ability for players to get into their games.

If you’d like to help us with the testing, head to your Battle.net Beta Profile and opt in to at least one of the game universe beta tests (if you haven’t done so already). We’ll be inviting players to the beta test in waves—if you’re selected, your Battle.net account will be flagged automatically and you’ll receive an email with additional details.

When does the beta test begin? How do I opt-in?
The beta test is now underway. If you’d like a chance to participate, first make sure you’ve created a BattleTag, and then head to your Beta Profile Settings and opt in to any of the Warcraft, StarCraft, or Diablo beta tests. See the Beta Opt-In Instructions for a helpful walkthrough. If you have already opted in for a previous Blizzard beta, you don’t need to opt in a second time.

What platforms and languages are supported?
The Battle.net desktop application is available for Windows and Mac in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Russian, Polish, traditional Chinese, and Korean.

What regions can participate?
Players in the Americas and Oceania, Europe, Korea, and Taiwan can participate. Players in mainland China will not be able to participate in this beta test. We’ll have more information to share about our plans for the Battle.net desktop app in mainland China in the future.

Is there a non-disclosure agreement?
There is not a nondisclosure agreement for this beta test. Those invited to play are free to take screenshots and discuss the app. Participants can give us feedback in the beta test forums.

How does game patching work through the Battle.net desktop app?
When you’re logged in to the Battle.net desktop app, it automatically downloads and installs updates for all supported games as they become available. You can patch one game at a time; the Battle.net desktop app also allows you to pause the patching process for one game in order to patch another, if needed.

Which Blizzard games are supported in the Battle.net desktop app?
The Battle.net desktop app allows you to launch Diablo III, StarCraft II, and World of Warcraft. Classic Blizzard games such as Diablo II, StarCraft, and Warcraft III are not currently supported, though we’re looking into the possibility of adding support for these games in the future.

I want to use the game-specific launcher for one of my games. How do I do that?
During the beta, you can switch to the previous launcher by uninstalling the Battle.net desktop app. As long as the Battle.net desktop app is installed on your system, you will not be able to access World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, or Diablo III through their standard launchers.

Can I log in to the Battle.net desktop app on multiple computers?
Yes, although the original login will expire if your account is logged in from another computer.

Can I still access the Battle.net website in my browser?
Yes, the Battle.net website will stay the same. The Battle.net desktop app provides a quick, convenient way to access your Blizzard games and certain features of Battle.net account management without opening a web browser.

Will everyone’s launchers eventually be updated to the Battle.net desktop app?
Yes — in the future, every Blizzard gamer will need to use the Battle.net desktop app to play their favorite Blizzard games. The Battle.net desktop app will replace the individual game launchers for World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, and Diablo III, and will act as your gateway to accessing future Blizzard games.

We’ll let players know in advance when we plan to roll the app out to everyone.

I'm having an issue—how can I get help?
Check the Known Issues List or visit the Battle.net desktop app beta forums to see if your issue is mentioned there. During the beta test, if you’re unable to resolve the issue and it’s preventing you from accessing your games, you can uninstall the beta client at any time to go back to using a game’s standard launcher.

So in the future the all in one launcher will be forced. Guess it really will be like Blizzard own Origin.

Originally Posted by moveth

Instalogin? Im ok with this.

Well after you have already logged in and set the launcher to remember you. If you end up sharing your computer with others then you still have to log in each time you use the launcher, especially if you dont want someone else to use your account. Blizzard could of had its games remember your account and password but choose not to for security reasons. It is just more convenient when swapping between Blizzard games and hopefully remove that frantic relogging in after a DC.

Will everyone’s launchers eventually be updated to the Battle.net desktop app?
Yes — in the future, every Blizzard gamer will need to use the Battle.net desktop app to play their favorite Blizzard games. The Battle.net desktop app will replace the individual game launchers for World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, and Diablo III, and will act as your gateway to accessing future Blizzard games.

We’ll let players know in advance when we plan to roll the app out to everyone.

Will everyone’s launchers eventually be updated to the Battle.net desktop app?
Yes — in the future, every Blizzard gamer will need to use the Battle.net desktop app to play their favorite Blizzard games. The Battle.net desktop app will replace the individual game launchers for World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, and Diablo III, and will act as your gateway to accessing future Blizzard games.

We’ll let players know in advance when we plan to roll the app out to everyone.

This displeases me.

W...why? It doesn't do anything but act as a launcher for all 3 game clients. A launcher with insta-login. And it looks nice.

If you have a battle.net with multiple wow accounts, you will still be able to multibox.
If player A is on computer A on the battle.net client's WoW#1, but player B signs on computer B, and signs on WoW#2, Player A will be kicked out of the client, but will not be kicked out of WoW.

$5 says it wants to launch when you log in to Windows, because if there's something I need it's yet another Steam client. Every company has to have one you know.

You can, but it is off by default.

Originally Posted by Aliok

Originally Posted by Blizzard EntertainmentWill everyone’s launchers eventually be updated to the Battle.net desktop app?
Yes — in the future, every Blizzard gamer will need to use the Battle.net desktop app to play their favorite Blizzard games. The Battle.net desktop app will replace the individual game launchers for World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, and Diablo III, and will act as your gateway to accessing future Blizzard games.

We’ll let players know in advance when we plan to roll the app out to everyone.

Ugh, another stupid leech program that wants to spy on me and suck up all my system resources. No thanks.

It's just the original Launcher with extra optional options. It's your choice if you want to let it leech your 'resources' (though if you are playing WoW on any computer, you'll probably have 1kb resources to spare)

Will everyone’s launchers eventually be updated to the Battle.net desktop app?
Yes — in the future, every Blizzard gamer will need to use the Battle.net desktop app to play their favorite Blizzard games. The Battle.net desktop app will replace the individual game launchers for World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, and Diablo III, and will act as your gateway to accessing future Blizzard games.

We’ll let players know in advance when we plan to roll the app out to everyone.

This displeases me.

Same here. Tired of being unable to even look left or right without something being force "upgraded". I sure as heck didn't view b.net as an improvement back in 2009, and I bloody well don't want this desktop client.

Same here. Tired of being unable to even look left or right without something being force "upgraded". I sure as heck didn't view b.net as an improvement back in 2009, and I bloody well don't want this desktop client.

you may every now and then have to update the client for bug fixes, but they're like.. 2 second updates. the upgrades are minimal, and the restart takes about 10 seconds without having to download anything (youll just get a message saying you need to restart, wait 10 seconds, youre back.)

dont be a grumpy butt. "eh, is this new? I have to update it every now and then!? I DONT LIKE IT!"

And you will have the option to keep your games upgraded automatically or not, if that makes you feel better. I dont have diablo 3 installed, but if i did, it would an option here as well.

Same here. Tired of being unable to even look left or right without something being force "upgraded". I sure as heck didn't view b.net as an improvement back in 2009, and I bloody well don't want this desktop client.

I understand being wary but give it a chance first. Really it's just like the launcher, except it is one launcher for all the games. And it has a chat app built in. It's pretty streamlined, not bloated or resource hoggy (right now), and it's kinda nice to just have to log into the app and be able to single-click launch the game any time you want. It really feels like the way it should have been done from the start.

The upgrade to Battle.net was a necessary evil but it was pretty clusterfucky. It was also a whole new system and the process did not go smoothly. This is really similar to how we already do things but more convenient and more features and, despite being early beta, it doesn't seem buggy at all. (that said, chat is disabled so we'll see)

It works really great. Before you launch the game you can choose which license and region. Then I am right in my game as it opens without having to enter my password more than the first time I opened the app.

---------- Post added 2013-06-10 at 09:21 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Aliok

Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment

Will everyone’s launchers eventually be updated to the Battle.net desktop app?
Yes — in the future, every Blizzard gamer will need to use the Battle.net desktop app to play their favorite Blizzard games. The Battle.net desktop app will replace the individual game launchers for World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, and Diablo III, and will act as your gateway to accessing future Blizzard games.

We’ll let players know in advance when we plan to roll the app out to everyone.

This displeases me.

Even if you only play one game, it works better than the basic WoW/D3/SC2 Launcher. Its a new and improved one and involves all Battle.net games.

It's just the original Launcher with extra optional options. It's your choice if you want to let it leech your 'resources' (though if you are playing WoW on any computer, you'll probably have 1kb resources to spare)

It starts at 1kb but won't stay that way. The problem isn't battle.net desktop client, origin, steam or uplay. It's a combination of all of them that all want to run at start up and track everything i do and sell me games (at least steam provides them at a good price, the others don't/won't).

It's just extra rubbish that has to run on your computer eating up resources doing nothing and providing mostly just annoyance. Besides, it's just another way of forcing people into always-on DRM.

It starts at 1kb but won't stay that way. The problem isn't battle.net desktop client, origin, steam or uplay. It's a combination of all of them that all want to run at start up and track everything i do and sell me games (at least steam provides them at a good price, the others don't/won't).

It's just extra rubbish that has to run on your computer eating up resources doing nothing and providing mostly just annoyance. Besides, it's just another way of forcing people into always-on DRM.

Start---> MSCONFIG in search box---> goto start up disable Steam, Origin, what ever else is at start up (that you don't need)

It starts at 1kb but won't stay that way. The problem isn't battle.net desktop client, origin, steam or uplay. It's a combination of all of them that all want to run at start up and track everything i do and sell me games (at least steam provides them at a good price, the others don't/won't).

It's just extra rubbish that has to run on your computer eating up resources doing nothing and providing mostly just annoyance. Besides, it's just another way of forcing people into always-on DRM.

Blizzard has made starting with Windows an opt-in checkbox instead of opt-out, as Tziva mentioned above.

Unless you specifically go into options and check the checkbox, this program will not start up with your computer, and will only start up when you click on WoW/D3/SC2.